Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT (rizatriptan benzoate) are prescription brand-name medications. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved them to treat migraine with or without aura. They’re approved for use in adults and children ages 6 years and older.

Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT are different types of oral tablets.

The active drug in both is rizatriptan benzoate, which is also the name of the generic versions. Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT belong to a class of drugs called serotonin agonists (triptans).

For information about the dosages of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT, as well as their forms, strengths, and how to take the drugs, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Before you start taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT, your doctor will discuss the medication with you. They will also discuss your other medical conditions and any other medications that you take. This can help them determine the best dosage for you.

Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT forms

Maxalt comes as an oral tablet. Maxalt-MLT is available as a tablet that dissolves under your tongue, which is called an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT).

ODTs can be prescribed for you if you have migraine along with nausea. If you experience severe nausea that makes you vomit, you could throw up an oral tablet. ODTs ensure that the drug gets into the bloodstream, even if you vomit.

Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT strength

Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT tablets are both available in one strength: 10 milligrams (mg).

The generic versions are both available in 5 mg and 10 mg tablets. These are called rizatriptan benzoate and rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets.

Typical dosages

Usually, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

You should take Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT only when you start feeling symptoms of migraine. There’s no daily dosage of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT.

Your doctor may have you take a 5-mg or 10-mg dose when needed. If your migraine symptoms don’t ease, you can take a second dose at least 2 hours after your first dose. The maximum dosage of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT in a 24-hour period is 30 mg.

If you’re prescribed 5-mg tablets of Maxalt, you may wonder if you can take half of a 10-mg tablet. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it’s safe to do this.

Children’s dosage

Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT are approved to treat migraine with or without aura in children ages 6 years and older. The dosage for children is based on body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg is equal to 2.2 pounds (lb).

For children weighing less than 40 kg (about 88 lb), the recommended dose is 5 mg of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT. In children weighing 40 kg (about 88 lb) or more, the recommended dose is 10 mg.

Children should take Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT at the start of a migraine episode. It isn’t known if it’s safe to give children more than one dose of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT in a 24-hour period. If your child’s migraine symptoms return within 24 hours of their first dose, do not give them a second dose.

Long-term use

Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT should be taken only when you start feeling symptoms of migraine. They are not meant to be taken every day. However, if Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT works to treat your migraine, you may be able to use it as a long-term treatment when you are experiencing symptoms.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT.

Do the strengths of Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT, and their generic versions differ?

Yes, the available strength of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT is different from the strengths of their generic versions (rizatriptan benzoate). Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT are currently only available in a strength of 10 milligrams (mg) per tablet.

Rizatriptan benzoate and rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets are both available as 5-mg tablets and 10-mg tablets.

For more information about how Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT dosages compare with those of the generics, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT is not working for me, will my doctor increase my dosage?

It depends on your current dosage. If one or more 5-mg doses* of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT don’t ease your migraine symptoms, your doctor may increase your dosage to 10 mg.

In some cases, you may already have 10-mg tablets, but one dose doesn’t help your symptoms. So your doctor may recommend taking a second dose at least 2 hours after your first dose.

You can take a maximum of 30 mg of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT in 24 hours. If you are taking the maximum dosage, and this medication is still not working to treat your migraine, talk with your doctor. They will likely recommend a different treatment option for you.

* You would take 5 mg when symptoms start. If the medication doesn’t help, you can take a second dose of 5 mg at least 2 hours after the first dose.

Maxalt comes as an oral tablet that you swallow. Maxalt-MLT is available as a tablet that dissolves under your tongue, which is called an orally disintegrating tablet.

If you have any questions about the drugs’ dosage instructions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT dosage that your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the severity of the condition you’re using Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT to treat
  • your age or body weight
  • other medications that you take

Other medical conditions can also affect your Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT dosage.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may need to reduce your dosage of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT if you are also taking a medication called propranolol (Inderal LA). This is because propranolol can increase the level of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT in your body.

If you take propranolol, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT.

You should take Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT only when you start feeling symptoms of migraine. Because you don’t take the medication on a regular basis, you can’t miss taking a dose.

If you take a dose of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT and still experience symptoms, you can take a second dose at least 2 hours after the first dose.

If you use more Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects.

It’s important that you don’t use more Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT than your doctor recommends.

Symptoms of an overdose

Overdose symptoms of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT can include:

If you take more than the recommended amount of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are the typical ones provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about the dosage, you may want other information about Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT. These additional articles might be helpful to you:

  • More about Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT. For information about other aspects of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT, refer to this article.
  • Drug comparison. To find out how Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT compare with other drugs, you can refer to the articles about Imitrex and Relpax.
  • Details about migraine. For more information about migraine, see our headache and migraine hub and list of related articles.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.